Arvind Swamy explains his self-imposed 15-year exile from Bollywood; the Roja and Bombay actor returns with the Hindi remake of a Marathi period drama
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 1, 2015)


His father, VD Swamy, was an industrialist and his mother, Vasantha, a Bharatnatyam dancer, but young Arvind Swamy showed no interest in either business or arts. He wanted to be a doctor and modelled for pocket money. Mani Ratnam saw him in an ad and in 1991, launched him in the Tamil film, Thalapathi. A year later, Ratnam introduced him to a pan-India audience in Roja. Bombay followed, and suddenly, the suave, South Indian actor with the soulful eyes and gentle smile, was every woman's poster boy.


Then, in 2000, after romancing Manisha Koirala in Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya, Arvind disappeared from B-town. The 15-years' self-imposed exile ends with the Hindi remake of Mahesh Manjrekar's 2012 Marathi period drama, Kaksparsh, set around a Chitpavan Brahmin family between 1930-'50. "I saw it not too long ago and thought I could bring in a few things and make the role my own. I'd already made a comeback in Mani's Tamil film, Kadal, and was searching for something challenging which I found in this film," says the actor.

His fans still remember him as the lover boy of Roja and Bombay. But Kaksparsh is an older, greyer character. What kind of prep did it require? "The timeline spans the character's lifetime. I play a younger, middle-aged and an older guy and this required a lot of physical prep because the look had to be right through the various ages," Arvind admits.

Does the film reflect his personal take on love, marriage and relationships? "None of what I do in a film needs to reflect my take on life as I'm only an actor playing a role," he retorts. "I need to think like the character, create a framework and react within that."

And is the box-office important? "Well, it does not determine my choice of films but it matters as that is the ultimate validation for the work we do. The project needs to be viable," Arvind reasons.

Quiz him on his disappearing act and the reluctant actor points out that he was 21 when he did Roja and 23 when he did Bombay with no acting background. "I enjoyed the experience but I wasn't prepared for stardom. I found it stifling and needed to get out, do other things. I stopped acting at 29 and did not miss it. A comeback wasn't on the agenda," he asserts.

He stayed in touch with Anupam Kher and met Manisha Koirala a couple of years ago. But it was his mentor Mani Ratnam who got him back on screen even after learning of the accident that had injured his spine and left Arvind partially paralysed in one leg with a foot drop. "I was in bed for almost a year. The medication and the injury had taken their toll. When Mani told me to get back into shape, I took it up as a challenge. He'd message me, call everyday for two months. I was motivated to get back thanks to him," he says gratefully.

He shed 15 kgs and returned in Mani's Tamil film, Kadal, in 2013. Today, he's back to doing normal things. "I even ran a 21-km marathon a few months ago," he smiles.

Arvind now has another Tamil film, Thani Oruvan, releasing in two weeks. "Jayam Ravi plays the positive lead while my role is black. But I've tried to play it subtly, without drama or exaggeration," he informs.

There's also Dear Dad which he wrapped up a month ago. "It's an important film for me as it touches on a subject that needs respect and understanding," he says, adding he needs to get back to his office for a few months but plans to take on a couple of projects by the year end. "I'm lucky that people remember me and I get the chance to act when I want to, but I won't do it full time. I have a responsibility to my clients and my staff. But I also have a responsibility to the people who like to see me in movies. I'll try and balance the two," he says.

Are his kids, 19-year-old daughter Adhira and five-year-old son Rudra, interested in acting? "They don't even see my movies," he laughs. "They are interested in academics. If ever they get interested, good luck to them."

As a successful businessman, would he want to invest in films or may be television? "I don't understand the business of films or TV so I don't see myself investing there," he quips. "Only one thing has changed. Earlier, I showed no interest in either business or arts. Now I do both."